The University of Southampton
University of Southampton Institutional Repository

Polyunsaturated fatty acids, inflammation and immunity

Polyunsaturated fatty acids, inflammation and immunity
Polyunsaturated fatty acids, inflammation and immunity
Consumption of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids greatly exceeds that of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid arachidonic gives rise to the eicosanoid family of inflammatory mediators (prostaglandins, leukotrienes and related metabolites) and through these regulates the activities of inflammatory cells, the production of cytokines and the various balances within the immune system. Fish oil and oily fish are good sources of long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Consumption of these fatty acids decreases the amount of arachidonic acid in cell membranes and so available for eicosanoid production. Thus, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids act as arachidonic acid antagonists. Components of both natural and acquired immunity, including the production of key inflammatory cytokines, can be affected by n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Although some of the effects of n-3 fatty acids may be brought about by modulation of the amount and types of eicosanoids made, it is possible that these fatty acids might elicit some of their effects by eicosanoid-independent mechanisms. Such n-3 fatty acid-induced effects may be of use as a therapy for acute and chronic inflammation, and for disorders which involve an inappropriately activated immune response.
polyunsaturated fatty acid, fish oil, prostaglandin, lymphocyte, macrophage, cytokine, immune function, inflammation
0954-3007
S14-S19
Calder, P.C.
1797e54f-378e-4dcb-80a4-3e30018f07a6
Grimble, R.F.
3100e4d2-8f29-4ca6-a95d-38a6a764865f
Calder, P.C.
1797e54f-378e-4dcb-80a4-3e30018f07a6
Grimble, R.F.
3100e4d2-8f29-4ca6-a95d-38a6a764865f

Calder, P.C. and Grimble, R.F. (2002) Polyunsaturated fatty acids, inflammation and immunity. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 56 (3), S14-S19. (doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601478).

Record type: Review

Abstract

Consumption of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids greatly exceeds that of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid arachidonic gives rise to the eicosanoid family of inflammatory mediators (prostaglandins, leukotrienes and related metabolites) and through these regulates the activities of inflammatory cells, the production of cytokines and the various balances within the immune system. Fish oil and oily fish are good sources of long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Consumption of these fatty acids decreases the amount of arachidonic acid in cell membranes and so available for eicosanoid production. Thus, n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids act as arachidonic acid antagonists. Components of both natural and acquired immunity, including the production of key inflammatory cytokines, can be affected by n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Although some of the effects of n-3 fatty acids may be brought about by modulation of the amount and types of eicosanoids made, it is possible that these fatty acids might elicit some of their effects by eicosanoid-independent mechanisms. Such n-3 fatty acid-induced effects may be of use as a therapy for acute and chronic inflammation, and for disorders which involve an inappropriately activated immune response.

This record has no associated files available for download.

More information

Published date: 2002
Additional Information: Original Communication
Keywords: polyunsaturated fatty acid, fish oil, prostaglandin, lymphocyte, macrophage, cytokine, immune function, inflammation

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 25325
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/25325
ISSN: 0954-3007
PURE UUID: fdc49643-933f-48ea-8e87-c1a2a51e5929
ORCID for P.C. Calder: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-6038-710X

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 12 Apr 2006
Last modified: 18 Mar 2024 02:41

Export record

Altmetrics

Contributors

Author: P.C. Calder ORCID iD
Author: R.F. Grimble

Download statistics

Downloads from ePrints over the past year. Other digital versions may also be available to download e.g. from the publisher's website.

View more statistics

Atom RSS 1.0 RSS 2.0

Contact ePrints Soton: eprints@soton.ac.uk

ePrints Soton supports OAI 2.0 with a base URL of http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/cgi/oai2

This repository has been built using EPrints software, developed at the University of Southampton, but available to everyone to use.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive cookies on the University of Southampton website.

×